Sustainable Transport

Why we need to use transport with a lower environmental impact:Transport systems are major emitters of greenhouse gases, with about three quarters coming from road vehicles. Currently 95% of transport energy comes from petroleum. Energy is consumed in the manufacture as well as the use of vehicles, and is embodied in transport infrastructure including roads, bridges and railways.

Sustainable transport systems make a positive contribution to the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the communities they serve.

What we need to do:The aim of Smarter Travel is to get us all to think about how and why we make travel choices for all the trips we make. It's about considering the impact our travel decisions have on others and on ourselves.

Do we need to drive to the local shop to pick up the paper or could we walk? Do we need to drive to work or could we cycle? If we have to drive the kids to school could we car share with other parents in our neighbourhood? Do we need a lift to the airport or could we get a bus?

We all know that walking and cycling are better for our health than driving and that getting public transport cuts congestion and is better for the environment.

We need to use this knowledge to inform our choices.

Peterborough is already working towards sustainable transport:In 2004 Peterborough was chosen as one of three Sustainable Travel Demonstration Towns and received £3.24m over five years to promote sustainable travel through a number of different schemes. The project proved successful and Peterborough City Council continued to fund Travelchoice after the DfT funding had come to an end. In 2012 the DfT announced new funding would be available to promote and encourage sustainable travel. Peterborough will receive £5m over a period of 4 years until 31 March 2015 to continue the work that was started through the original Travelchoice project.

Peterborough has a nationally recognised 45 mile cycle network known locally as the Green wheel

Peterborough has historically been known as a ‘car-friendly city’ with limited congestion and high average car travel speeds. This is due to the large scale highway infrastructure investment which took place in the 1970s, to help deliver the new town development

The Travelchoice project achieved a 9% reduction in car journeys, a 12% increase in cycling, a 35% increase in public transport and a 14% increase in walking.

Commuting on a bike at around 10 - 11 mph will burn about 400 calories per hour.

But...

Our 2020 growth plans means that 9% more journeys need to be sustainable.

Two-thirds of all journeys in the UK are under 5 miles.

Targets:

Increase the number of businesses with travel plans from 30 in 12/13 to 60.

Increase the number of pupils receiving Bikeability training from 951 to 1300 annually.

To further develop a robust monitoring network to enable in depth transport modal data to be collected.

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